Oh Ricky...

Oh Ricky...here we go again. Ricky Williams has failed another drug test. Williams, who sat out last season because of a suspension (guess what for), was going to be eligible to apply for reinstatement to the NFL this summer. Reports now are that because he failed a drug test in April, he will not be eligible until at least September.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not here to preach about the nature of drugs. I am not here to warn children about drugs, to tell the NFL to kick Mr. Williams out for good, or even to ask Ricky where he scores the primo stuff. My protest is simple…what a waste of talent.

Ricky Williams was possibly the greatest college running back I have ever seen. Who knows...maybe he was even the best of all time. Football wasn’t even the only sport Williams excelled in either - he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies right out of high school and played four years at the Class A level. Football was his best sport though, and while at the University of Texas he proved that.

In college, Williams was a star. Easily the “big man on campus,” he certainly must have been living “the good life.” A four-year starter on a Texas team that was always competitive, Ricky racked up the rushing yards. When he left college for the NFL, Williams was the NCAA’s all time leading rusher with 6,279 yards. In his college career, Williams won two Doak Walker Awards, the Walter Camp Award, the Maxwell Award, and of course...the Heisman Trophy. To this day, Williams still holds at least a share of 20 NCAA records.

In 1999, Williams was drafted #5 overall by the New Orleans Saints. As if the pressure of being such a high draft pick wasn’t enough, the Saints traded all their picks that year plus two more the following year, just to draft Ricky. Now THAT is pressure - he was their entire draft class. Since that draft, Williams has been on a bumpy road.

**(Quick side note to the Eagles fans who booed Donovan McNabb because they wanted Ricky Williams…real smart!!!)**

Williams never really got settled in New Orleans and was traded to Miami in 2002. That season, Ricky rushed for over 1,800 yards and was the NFL’s leading rusher. He also won the Pro Bowl MVP that season. Two years later, Williams tested positive for marijuana. Rather than be fined and face a 4 game suspension, he chose retirement.

Ricky spent his retirement traveling the world, visiting far off places, and smoking pot. It should be noted that Williams has been diagnosed with depression and social anxiety disorder. He was so shy, he would often wear his helmet (which had a visor) during post game interviews to avoid eye contact.

After his suspension, Ricky returned to the Dolphins to avoid repaying the signing bonus he was paid when he signed his contract. His early retirement allowed the Dolphins to regain some money. Then, of course, he tested positive for marijuana again. He was suspended for the entire 2006 season and played in the CFL. Now here we go again…

It's not hyperbole to say that Williams easily could have been one of the top NFL players of our time. When he left college, Ricky was the greatest running back in NCAA history - his records prove that. He was fast, he was big, and he could change games all by himself. If only he had the mental health required to deal with all the media and pressure that come with being a top NFL player. What might have been…